Amusement device



81 W. GASS.

AMUSEMENT DEVICE.

APPLICATION- FILED MAY 12. 1920.

1,371,887. Patented Mar. 15,1921.

'2 shins-sum 2.

ATTORNEYS PATENT OFFICE.

SOUTH GASS, OF TENINO, WASHINGTON.

AMUSEMENT DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented'Mar. 15, 1921.

Application filed May 12, 1920. Serial 110,380,766.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, SOUTH Wnsr GAss, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Tenino, in the county of Thurston and State of Nashin ton, have invented a new. and Improved Kmusement Device, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

Coasting in winter on handsleds and toboggans, on natural iced inclines, is recognized as one of the most invigorating and healthful amusements engaged in by children and young people in sections where there are snow and ice in winter.

The amusement has heretofore been limited to sections in which snow and ice are common in winter, and in these sections to a very short period of each year.

With the above in view, my invention contemplates the construction of'an amusement device, consisting of a sled or toboggan, fitted with wheels, and inclines which permit coasting at any time of year and in any climate, and which is more fully described below.

The device is also designed to prevent accidents in coasting by protecting all movable parts with covering, so that no member or person using can come in contact with moving parts of device while in operation.

Reference is now had to the attached sheets of drawings which illustrate one practical embodiment of my invention, and inv which drawings,

Figure 1 is a side view of one part of my improved amusement device.

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof. r

Fig. 3 illustrates the end portion of the same. I

Fig. 4 is a partly sectional top plan view showing the conveyance used in connection with my amusement device.

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view thereof.

Fig. 6 is a sectional side view taken along the lines 6-6 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a partly sectional View of a certain portion of the running gear of my conveyance, and

Fig. 8 is a detailed perspective view showing certain construction employed.

In these views the reference numeral 10 indicates supporting members, which provide starting platforms 11 spaced one from the other, and between which extend two pairs of inclines, each presenting a coastingv incline 12, and an upwardly extending incline 13 forming a continuation of the coasting incline 12.

It is to be noted that the incline 13 form mg a continuation of the incline 12 extends at a lesser angle horizontally, than the latter incline, and it will be appreciated that a vehicle starting from either of the platforms 11 will coast down the incline 12 and up the incline 13 to the lowermost portion 14 of the starting platform, which is connected with the starting platform proper by means of any suitable type of ascent,

preferably takingthe form of an incline 15.

As has been illustrated in Fig. 3 access may be had to the lower portion 14 of the starting platform .11 by any suitable means such as steps 16.

Now referring more particularly to the conveyance utilized, in connection with the afore described structure, it will be seen, reference being had to Figs. 4 to 8 that the same conveniently includes a deck 17 provided with downwardly longitudinally extending runners 18 adjacent'the side edges. 'Now with a view of providingmeans whereby the danger of injurywill be reduced toa minimum, straps 19 are aflixed to the forward edge of the deck 17 these strips forming adjacent their outer ends, an axle pivot 20 of any suitable construction.

A cover 21 also has one of its ends secured so i adjacent the forward edge of the deck 17,

and serves to incase the forward wheels 22 mounted upon the axle 23 secured to the pivot 20.

By this construction any danger of the occupants hands or clothing coming in contact with the moving parts of the conveyance is reduced to a minimum, it being noted that'the wheels 22 are conveniently 'positioned inside of the runners 18, which latter serve as side guards. i 7

To eliminate the danger of a conveyance coasting only a portion of the incline 13 and moving rearwardly. so as to crash into, a preceding conveyance, the rear-axle 24 is provided which extends between the runners 18. The reara'xle carrieswheels 25, and

ratchets such as 26, with whichpawls125 ciated by this construction that while the conveyance is free to move in a forward direction, it Will be impossible for the same to coast backward in view of the fact that any retrograde movement on the part of the Wheels 25 will result in a locking engagement between the paWls 27 and ratchets 26, preventing any further movement on the part of the Wheels 25 in this direction.

Further, to eliminate the danger of Wild steering, and to, at the same time, provide means which Willperinit t an' adequate guiding of the conveyance, the ends of the i axle 23 are extended through openings Within the runners 18 which openings are provided with a liner 28, of any desirable bearing substance. Any suitable type of connecting medium may be used, such as a cable 29 having its ends secured one to each positioned transversely of the inclined,

exists, 1

' The Wheels may be of any suitable construction. but they preferably include a ball bearing housing 31 enveloping the axle, fl'OIflWlllCll "housing spaced metal disks 32 extend, the outer ends of Which mount any a suitable type of tire'33.

It will be appreciated that byvirtue of 'theconstruction adapted, that I have provided a device, by means OfWlllCll a great amount of amusement may be derived with out in the slightest endangering'the safety of th'e users in thatfan endlesscoasting: ay

and a satety conveyance is provided.

uObVlOLlSl) numerous modifications slightest departing from the scope of my 5 claims, which read: I

' under said deck, one of said pairs of wheels 1. Anamusement device, including inclines, conveyances adapted; to be used on said inclines, each of said conveyances in eluding adeck, pairs of Wheels arranged being positionedinadvance of the deck, and a. coverfpositioned adjacent the forward edge of said deck and being adapted to en veloplone otthe pairs of Wheels.

2. An amusement device, including inclines, conveyances adapted to be used on said inclines, each offs-aid conveyances including a deck, pairs of wheels arranged under-said deck, one of said pairs ofwheels being. pcsitionedfin advance of the deck, anda cover positioned adjacent the forward edge offsaiddeckand being adapted to envelop onset the pairs of Wheels, and means of structure might be resorted to without in the clines, conveyances coipe 'ating with onelof the pairs otvvheels for permitting a rotation of the same in one direction only.

8. An amusement device, including inclines, conveyances adapted to be used on said inclines, each of said conveyances including a deck, pairs of Wheelsarranged under said. deck, one of said pairs of Wheels being positioned in advance of the deck, and a cover positioned adjacent the' forward edge of said deck and being adapted to envelop one of the pairs of Wheels, and a pawl and ratchet mechanism associated With said wheels and deck respectively for preventing a retrograde movement on the part of the conveyance. a

4-. An amusement device, including inclines, conveyances adapted to be used on said inclines,-each of said conveyances ineluding adeck, pairs of Wheels arranged under said deck, runners extending down- -wardly from and secured adjacent to the longitudinal side edges otsaid deck, said Wheels being positioned between said runners. I

5. (in amusement device, including inclines, conveyances adapted to be used on said inclines, eachof said conveyances including a deck, pairs of \YhBQlS arranged under said deck, runners extending downwardly from and secured adjacent to the longitudinal side edges ofsaiddeck, an axle locking-ly attached to said deck, the ends. of said axle extending through openings :lormed in said runners whereby to elin1i mate the swinging of said axles.

'6. An amusement device, including 1nclines, conveyances adapted to be used on said- .inclines, each of said conveyances including a deck,; pairs of Wheels arranged unc er said deck, runners extending downwardly from and secured adjacent to the longitudinal side edges of said deck, an axle lockingly attached to said deck, the ends of said. axle extending through openings formed in said runners whereby to eliminate the swinging of said axles, and a steering cable having its ends secured one to eachofthe ends ofsaid axis. 7 l

Anamusement device, including insaid inclines, each of: said conveyances including a" deck, pairs of vhecls arranged under said deck, runners extending doivnwardly fromandsecured adjacent to the longitudinal side edges cl said deck, an a le lockingly attached to said deck, the

adapted to be used on ends of said axle extending "through, open ings formed in said runners whereby to eliminate thesivinging ofsaid axles, asteering cabl'e having its ends'seeured one to eacho'f the ends of saidaxle, its body extending through inclined ends formed in the side edges of said deck, v

. SOUTH WEST GASS. 

